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'''Fir'awn''' (فرعون) is the Arabic term for "[[pharaoh]]". However, it has come to mean specifically the Pharaoh of [[the Exodus]]. The [[Quran]] narrates the story of [[Moses]] ([[Islamic view of Moses|Musa]]) and the Pharaoh known simply as '''Fir'awn'''.
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==References==
{{Portal|Islam}}▼
<references/>
==See also==
▲{{Portal|Islam}}
*[[Pharaohs in the Bible#Pharaohs in the book of Exodus]]
*[[Aaron's rod]]
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Revision as of 09:21, 6 April 2013
Fir'awn (فرعون) is the Arabic term for "pharaoh". However, it has come to mean specifically the Pharaoh of the Exodus. The Quran narrates the story of Moses (Musa) and the Pharaoh known simply as Fir'awn.
Historical narrative in Islam
Moses and Aaron (Harun) went to the Pharaoh, and when they arrived he is told about their divine mission and that he should let the Israelites go. Pharaoh rebukes them by saying that the Egyptians looked after him, and he reminds Moses that he has killed an Egyptian. Moses acknowledges this, and says that he did that before he received his message from God. Pharaoh enquires as to who this god of Moses is. It is God, he is told, the Creator of everything. At one point Pharaoh threatens him with prison, as he says there can be no gods other than himself, but he eventually asks Moses for a sign to see if he is telling the truth. Moses throws down his rod and it turns into a huge snake. He then draws forth his hand and it shines with brilliant white light. Pharaoh, however, rejects these signs as 'evident/manifest sorcery'. Pharaoh's chiefs wonder why they should believe in two men like themselves, and Israelite men at that. Pharaoh discusses the issue with his chiefs. They tell him that Moses's plan is to overthrow the Pharaoh by turning the people away from their established religion. Pharaoh tells them to stall Moses and Aaron whilst well-versed sorcerers are found. These sorcerers are promised rewards and power. Pharaoh then arranges with Moses for him to come to the Day of the Festival.
Moses and the magicians
The day of the festival arrives, and all the people are there along with the sorcerers and Moses and Aaron, Moses brother. The sorcerers ask Moses who is to go first, and Moses tells them that they are. They throw down some rods and ropes and they appear to move of their own accord, like a snake. Even Moses is slightly scared by this, but he has God's help. He throws down his rod and it 'swallowed up straight away all the falsehoods which they fake'. The sorcerers are stunned, and they bow, proclaiming their belief in their God. Pharaoh is angered at their belief without his permission. He threatens to cut off their hands and feet and crucify them on a palm-tree cross. The sorcerers are unperturbed, saying that they be sent back to their lord, whom from they ask for forgiveness. They rebuke Pharaoh for threatening them just because they believe in Moses's signs.
Later, Pharaoh is with his chiefs. They ask him if he is to let Moses and the Israelites continue to spread mischief in Egypt, turning people away from the Egyptian religion. He decides to slay all the male Israelites but keep the females in order to keep power. Despite Moses's message few believe except the Israelites and a small number of Egyptians, as many are fearful of Pharaoh.
Moses again speaks out against Pharaoh, asking who will protect him from God's punishment when it comes. Nevertheless they refuse to recognise God, with Pharaoh expressly stating that whatever signs Moses brings he will never believe in him. In his arrogance he asks one of his chiefs, Haman, to make bricks from baked clay in order to build a 'lofty palace' that will reach up to Moses's god. This is despite the fact that Pharaoh tells Haman that he thinks Moses is a liar.[1]
Plagues unleashed
God punishes Pharaoh and the Egyptians with years of drought and crop shortages. During these bad times the Egyptians ask Moses to pray to God to help them and they say that they will release the Israelites, but when times are better they claim that it is due to themselves and they negate on their promises. God also sends down various plagues – 'wholesale death,' locusts, lice, frogs and blood (these are the rest of the nine signs that Moses was told about on Mount Tur). Despite all of this, the Egyptians still refuse to believe. Pharaoh reminds them that Egypt belongs to him. He is better than Moses, he says. Moses cannot even speak clearly and he doesn't own gold, he adds.[2]
Splitting of the Red Sea
Moses prays once more to God. He is told to depart with the Israelites at night-time towards the Red Sea. Meanwhile the Egyptians hear of this, and Pharaoh sends heralds to all the cities telling them about the insurrection. Finally, the Egyptians, led by Pharaoh, appear near the sea bent on destroying the Israelites. Moses strikes the sea with his rod and it parts. He and the Israelites pass through safely, but the Egyptians follow them 'in insolence and spite,' which scares some of the Israelites. However, with them safely across, the sea overwhelms the Egyptians. As he is drowning, Pharaoh calls out that he believes in the Israelites' god and that he submits himself to God. But it was too late. He is reminded of his evil acts, and God allows his body to be later picked up as a sign for those who do evil. God also levels some of the Egyptian's works and buildings.